With its string of castles, some nice museums and lots extra indoor enjoyable, you’ll discover loads of issues to do in Kent within the rain with children, if the climate has pushed you away from Kent’s seashores.
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Whether or not you’re on the lookout for inspiration for a wet day in Kent in summer season, otherwise you want concepts for wet days out in Kent throughout the remainder of the yr, you gained’t be wanting alternative.
So from wet day enjoyable for toddlers to teenagers, right here’s my choose of the most effective indoor issues to do in Kent – you’ll be virtually hoping for drizzle!
Contents – click on to leap to a bit
Hever Fortress
One in every of my all-time favorite Kent days out with children, there’s plenty to suit right into a go to to Hever Fortress – if we lived only a bit nearer, I’d be tempted to get the annual membership.
There are sometimes occasions on in the course of the yr, but when the climate is just too dangerous to get pleasure from them, you possibly can nonetheless discover the fort itself, the place Anne Boleyn grew up.
For my full overview of a day trip at Hever Fortress, Kent, click on right here
There are many items from Tudor occasions inside, together with her mattress and an vintage warming pan, and a path for youths to comply with.
If the rain lets up, you possibly can spend for much longer within the grounds, with a water maze (particularly when you’re moist anyway), a maze, lake and gardens, in addition to characters wandering round – there’s nothing that offers you a heat glow like Henry VIII calling you a peasant!
For extra of the finest castles in Kent with children, try my prime picks
Dover Fortress
One other fabulous Kent fortress filled with historical past. There’s greater than historic historical past to be found at Dover Fortress too, with wartime tunnels used for naval operations in the course of the Second World Battle, though the positioning has seen centuries of use with an Iron Age Fort and Roman lighthouse constructed close to the Norman fort.
The fort itself has a lot for youths to get palms on, together with employees dressed up in medieval costume to point out them the best way to card wool within the kitchens, plus bedchambers embellished as they could have been for royal inhabitants, proper all the way down to video games to play.
Even once we visited on a freezing and windy winter’s day, it was well worth the stroll all the way down to the underground hospital – and the views all the way down to the English Channel are spectacular if the rain isn’t too dangerous.
Learn my full overview of a go to to Dover Fortress with children
Leeds Fortress, close to Maidstone
Not removed from Maidstone and the village of Leeds (not the extra well-known metropolis in Yorkshire), Leeds Fortress is well one of the crucial stunning historic websites in Kent – and there’s loads of competitors for that specific title.
Sitting mirrored within the lake, with peacocks roaming the grounds, this has all the time struck me (and my daughter) because the type of fort to accommodate princesses quite than a fearsome fortress.
As soon as residence to Catherine of Aragon, most of the rooms at the moment are embellished in lavish Nineteen Twenties fashion, though you’ll additionally discover ones straight from medieval occasions. Outdoors, there’s an journey playground and falconry shows plus journey golf within the grounds if the climate improves.
Take a look at my overview of visiting Leeds Fortress with a toddler
Knole, close to Sevenoaks
One of many ordinary highlights of a go to to Knole close to Sevenoaks is with the ability to see a herd of untamed deer, however when you’re visiting this historic home in Kent within the rain, there’s extra to find indoors too.
Knole began life as a medieval archbishop’s residence earlier than discovering its manner into Henry VIII’s palms. Mary I lived right here earlier than it handed to the Sackville household, who made it their residence for hundreds of years – there’s now a wonderful assortment of portraits for anybody focused on artwork, in addition to a formidable assortment of Seventeenth-century furnishings.
Children get the chance to decorate up in Tudor period garments as nicely, whereas there’s additionally a treasure path aimed toward ages 6 to 12 to comply with by the rooms. Convey a pencil and paper and you’ll strive your hand on the nature-themed brass rubbing as nicely.
Ightham Mote, close to Sevenoaks
The crooked beamed home surrounded by its personal moat is all the time successful, regardless of the climate, plus some enjoyable trails to comply with for youths as you discover Ightham Mote.
With on a regular basis gadgets like a classic rocking horse and extra ugly historic sights, together with an oubliette, there are many issues to catch youthful guests’ consideration too.
Not removed from Sevenoaks, Ightham Mote can also be an important choice when you’ve solely obtained a an hour or two to spare in Kent with children, though you might additionally fortunately spend lots longer right here on sunny days, trying to find the key backyard in addition to strolling previous the lake to the pure play space.
Right here’s what we obtained as much as on a brief go to to Ightham Mote with children
Chartwell, Westerham
Residence to the Churchill household from the 20s, Chartwell is a superb choice for a wet day in Kent with older children because it’s nonetheless furnished as it might have been when Winston Churchill lived there.
Within the studio, you possibly can see the one largest assortment of Churchill’s work, in addition to different private belongings in the home itself. There are additionally family-friendly audio guides and spotter sheets for the home, helpful if you’re visiting with youthful children.
Preserve a watch out for Jock as you discover too – Winston Churchill’s will said that there ought to all the time be a marmalade cat named Jock, with a white bib and 4 white socks. The present furry inhabitant is quantity 7.
Kent has a formidable variety of historic homes and castles to discover, however some have extra out of doors sights – whereas Scotney Fortress & Groombridge Place must be on any record of issues to do in Kent with children, they’re not my prime picks if it’s pouring with rain
Canterbury Cathedral
Based in 597CE, there’s an unbelievable 1,400 years of historical past to find at Canterbury Cathedral, in addition to the attractive constructing itself.
And whilst you may assume it’s not essentially the most child-friendly choice, the cathedral has a lot to maintain households entertained, together with children’ trails, family-friendly actions, even downloadable actions like colouring sheets to finish the cathedral’s historic bestiary.
Older children may also hear a number of the tales from its long gone, together with the grisly homicide of Thomas Becket, see a duplicate of Magna Carta and the tomb of the Black Prince, whereas everybody can get pleasure from looking for the quirky carvings – discover a lion’s head, a mermaid and an imp alongside the way in which.
Canterbury Roman Museum
With its lengthy historical past, there’s a lot to find in Canterbury other than its well-known cathedral (although that’s value a glance as nicely!) – not least a number of fascinating museums.
And top-of-the-line museums for youths in Canterbury is the Roman Museum; set underground and constructed across the stays of a Roman city home, it’s a good way to visualise your self again in Roman occasions as you enterprise all the way down to the unique road degree.
In addition to seeing the incredible mosaic ground, nonetheless in place, there’s an introduction to Roman Canterbury plus actions for youths reminiscent of making an attempt on a toga, making your individual mosaic, dealing with actual Roman objects and even making an attempt to uncover treasure.
For extra concepts of Roman websites within the UK to go to with children, try this put up
Turner Modern, Margate
One of many nation’s most spectacular artwork galleries for these focused on trendy artwork, the Turner Modern in Margate has a lot for youths as nicely.
You’ll be able to be part of household spotlight excursions to assist introduce youthful children to artwork – the excursions are aimed toward age 5-11 however everyone seems to be welcome – in addition to trying out a number of the assets on the web sites. The artistic useful resource packs embrace an introduction to modern artwork, in addition to different actions to encourage children – each within the museum and elsewhere.
There’s even a room with video games for youths, plus some additional enjoyable throughout college holidays and weekends – to not point out that the exhibitions are continually altering too, so there’s all the time one thing new to find.
As a bonus, entry to the Turner Modern doesn’t value a penny when you’re on the lookout for free issues to do in Kent within the rain with children.
You can even pop into Margate’s Shell Grotto and Margate Caves throughout your wet day in Kent – neither will preserve households occupied all day, however they’re a enjoyable technique to escape a short downpour
Maidstone Museum and Bentliff Artwork Gallery
The museum homes over 6,000 artefacts, together with native historical past but additionally items from farther afield, reminiscent of historic Egypt and Japan. There are additionally collections specializing in archaeology and costume, plus you’ll discover momentary exhibitions and college vacation actions.
Primarily based in an Elizabethan mansion – Chillington Manor – there’s additionally a dinosaur part, together with data on those which might as soon as have stalked this a part of Kent. Maidstone even has a dinosaur on its defend!
Even higher, there’s no entry cost (apart from a number of the particular actions and momentary exhibitions) when you’re on the lookout for free wet days out in Kent with children.
Powell-Cotton Museum, close to Margate
Housing the eclectic collections of explorer Percy Powell-Cotton, the Powell Cotton Museum has a formidable pure historical past assortment, in addition to shows of archaeology and world tradition.
Tickets to the museum additionally embrace entry to Quex Home, as soon as the Powell-Cotton household’s residence, with an opportunity to discover the library in addition to marvelling at a number of the furnishings and artwork inside.
You can even discover common household actions all year long as nicely, so it’s one other good choice when you’re on the lookout for concepts of issues to do within the rain close to Margate.
Historic Dockyard, Chatham
The Historic Dockyard actually is a incredible slice of British historical past, the very dockyard the place a number of the ships that helped conquer the world’s oceans have been constructed – and there’s the prospect to find every thing from a Victorian Sloop to a Second World Battle Destroyer and a Chilly Battle submarine.
Greater than 400 warships have been constructed right here, together with the three which you’ll be able to board and discover – inevitably a go to right here does contain a while exterior (or on deck) so it’s higher for a drizzly day trip, quite than throughout a downpour.
However in addition to exploring the totally different ships, there are different excursions and experiences to find together with the centuries-old methods of grasp ropemakers, whereas children can strive finishing Mission Discover with a code to crack when you tick off the missions and information to find alongside the way in which.
Tickets to the Historic Dockyard Chatham are legitimate for a yr – ensure you guide on to any excursions you need to take, together with the HM Submarine Ocelot, as quickly as you arrive.
Dover Transport Museum
One other nice choice for younger children fascinated with totally different types of transport – the Dover Transport Museum is residence to various kinds of classic transport, set amongst some retro store fronts.
There’s additionally a mannequin railway to play with and a taxi and bus hunt for kids – plus this can be a nice one to take the grandparents to.
Your ticket additionally will get you free return entry for the following yr.
Battle of Britain Memorial, close to Folkestone
One of many extra uncommon issues to do in Kent within the rain with children, a go to to the Battle of Britain Memorial close to Folkestone has probabilities to get palms on in addition to commemorating those that fought.
Devoted to the ‘Few’, those that fought within the skies within the early a part of the Second World Battle to maintain Britain free from invasion, it’s residence to a duplicate Spitfire and Hurricane, two of the plane flown in the course of the aerial battles.
However there’s additionally an opportunity to expertise life as one of many Few on the multimedia Scramble Expertise, mixing a video wall, audio and different high-tech parts to convey their heroic wartime deeds to life.
If it’s the plane that pursuits you, it’s additionally value trying out the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum in Ramsgate, which is residence to varied Second World Battle planes
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, close to Ashford
There’s a formidable assortment of elements of planes from Second World Battle wrecks on the Lashenden Air Warfare museum close to Headcorn – not too removed from Leeds Fortress, when you’re on the lookout for a few totally different Kent days out within the rain with children which are close to one another.
In addition to classic plane and different uncommon shows reminiscent of a gyro kite, you possibly can see the world’s solely absolutely restored and operational pillbox of its sort.
There are dwell flybys and festivals in the course of the yr, that are additionally nice for households, however clearly these can’t essentially go forward if the climate is dangerous.
The Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham
The Royal Engineers Museum is Kent’s largest navy museum, devoted to the Royal Engineers and the contributions they made to the British Military for a whole bunch of years. You by no means know, a go to may even encourage a future profession in engineering.
The museum’s assortment contains tanks, fighter jets, rockets, weapons, historic artefacts, and even an enormous piece of the Berlin Wall.
There are additionally loads of actions on the museum to maintain youthful guests entertained, together with the Snob the Canine path, dressing up actions, interactive digital shows, and a First World Battle Play Tank. For those who’re visiting in the course of the college holidays, you may additionally discover themed trails and craft actions all through the museum.
Ramsgate Tunnels
Escape the rain by heading underground and discovering the historical past beneath the streets of Ramsgate.
The Ramsgate Tunnels are the UK’s largest community of wartime tunnels, spanning over two and a half miles beneath Kent. The superb tunnel system used to shelter 60,000 folks throughout Second World Battle air raids.
You’ll be able to take a tour of the tunnels to expertise what life was like for individuals who lived inside them, together with tales from the tunnels throughout their lengthy historical past.
Infants and toddlers can enter the tunnels, nevertheless, prams and buggies aren’t permitted inside, so you’ll have to carry them all through your entire tour.
Kent Life, close to Maidstone
One other fabulous household day trip in Kent with toddlers and youthful children, Kent Life close to Maidstone has some enjoyable indoor actions together with comfortable play for wet days in Kent with children, in addition to its out of doors play space for higher climate.
Plus there are animals galore to satisfy, together with bottle feeding the lambs at Easter, and seeing different livestock reminiscent of pigs, horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and alpacas. Kent Life can also be residence to the Kent Owl Academy, with 12 totally different owls.
A number of the different actions are nice when you’re exploring Kent within the rain, together with portray pots, whereas there’s additionally the prospect to experience on the land prepare or rampage round in pedal tractors if the climate isn’t too dreadful.
Dinotropolis at Bluewater
There’s no higher place to spend a wet day than on the mall – though not essentially within the outlets! Fortuitously, Kent’s enormous Bluewater Purchasing Heart has loads of enjoyable actions for little ones too, together with Dinotropolis.
Dinotropolis is a tremendous indoor journey park appropriate for youths 12 years and beneath, full with animatronic dinosaurs and loads of interactive actions.
The park options three storeys of soppy play within the Dino Jungle, with enormous ball pits, slides, drawbridges, ball cannons, and mirror mazes. Children may also dig for fossils and get artful in Discovery Cove and whizz by the jungle on the Raptor Racers.
And a few hours at Dinotropolis is normally sufficient to wear down the little ones sufficiently to plop them in a Kiddie Cart and head again into Bluewater for a spot of purchasing when you do fancy.
Go to a trampoline park
A go to to a trampoline park is a good way to spend a wet day with children in Kent. There are a number of nice parks in Kent the place kids can bounce, bounce, and let loose their power in a secure and managed atmosphere.
Flip Out has two areas in Kent; Ashford and Chatham. Each parks function loads of trampolines, stunt areas, inflatables, and many different enjoyable actions.
GraVity is one other chain of trampoline parks with areas in Bluewater and Maidstone. Children can get pleasure from trampolines, battle beams, and impediment programs. The Bluewater department additionally has a comfortable play space and weekly devoted mum or dad and toddler classes on the trampolines.
Kent Escape Rooms
Put your loved ones’s teamwork and problem-solving abilities to the take a look at with an escape room expertise. You’ll have to work collectively to seek out clues, clear up puzzles, and try to flee the room earlier than the time runs out.
There are many nice escape rooms in Kent, together with Escape Kent in Canterbury, The Escapement in Margate and Broadstairs, and Clue Crackers in Tunbridge Wells.
Most escape rooms don’t have a minimal age however they might be somewhat too difficult for youthful kids with restricted consideration spans. Some are really helpful for age 9+ whereas not all of the video games’ themes are appropriate for youths so test earlier than you guide.
Chimera Climbing, Tunbridge Wells
Let the youngsters burn off some power at Chimera Climbing, a big indoor climbing and boulder centre in Tunbridge Wells.
The climbing centre has quite a lot of top-of-the-range bouldering tools appropriate for all ranges of climbers and lessons accessible for full learners.
Youngsters should be over 5 years previous to climb and beneath 16s have to be accompanied by an grownup. Underneath 12s are welcome within the centre between 10am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am and 2pm on weekends.
Planet Ice Gillingham
When you may consider ice skating as a winter exercise, at Planet Ice Gillingham you possibly can hit the ice all yr spherical, come rain or shine.
The big everlasting indoor ice rink is open for all ages and talents to get pleasure from, with clip-on skates and skating aids accessible for youthful kids. You’ll be able to attend a free-skate session or brush up your abilities with an ice skating lesson.
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Dover fort/Ightham Mote copyright MummyTravels, Historic Dockyard Chatham/Spitfire & Hurricane Museum/Kent Life copyright Go to Kent, all others courtesy of Depositphotos
